Trae Young’s Uncertain Future Has Hawks Open to Inquiries
hawks-open-to-trae-young-inquiries
The Atlanta Hawks are willing to field calls on All-Star guard Trae Young, according to reporting from ESPN’s Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst. One rival executive told the outlet that Atlanta’s front office “will at least pick up the phone” if teams inquire about the 27-year-old.
Young can enter free agency after this season thanks to a $49 million player option for 2026/27, yet no extension talks took place over the summer. He remains eligible for a new deal worth up to $230 million across four years, but league sources indicated no progress has been made.
A sprained MCL has already sidelined Young for at least three more weeks. Atlanta has gone 3-1 without him—two wins came against Brooklyn and Indiana—while leaning on emerging contributors Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and rookie Zaccharie Risacher. The Hawks also control New Orleans’ unprotected 2026 first-round pick.
“Atlanta is good enough to keep Trae and make the playoffs,” an Eastern Conference executive said. “But with the pick and Jalen, Dyson and Zach, they’ll at least listen when called.” The club has $55 million committed to Johnson and Daniels for next season and must soon address Kristaps Porziņģis’ impending free agency.
Other notable situations
Zion Williamson, Pelicans: Teams show little interest in trading for Williamson while he recovers from his fifth career hamstring injury. Although the final two seasons of his contract are non-guaranteed, front offices remain wary of his durability. Because New Orleans already traded its 2026 first-rounder, executives believe the franchise is more likely to seek win-now upgrades around the 25-year-old than to move him.
LaMelo Ball, Hornets: Ball has missed two games with an ankle impingement after an injury-shortened 2024/25 campaign. A Western Conference scout questioned his professionalism, saying, “It’s hard to build a winner with him.” Charlotte is not expected to consider offers unless they far exceed what other teams view as a “flier” price.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks: Trade chatter has cooled with Milwaukee off to a 5-3 start. Antetokounmpo is averaging 32.3 points on 67.7% shooting, and observers note he intends to evaluate the revamped roster over 20–25 games before judging its title chances.
Source: Hoops Rumors
